“Befaithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life”Jesus to the Smyrna church Revelation 2:10.
Two weeks ago, our band of pilgrims visited the ancient site of Smyrna – now in the middle of the modern city of Izmir Turkey. The third largest city in the country, there are 4.5 million people living there on the edge of the Aegean sea. Located 35 miles north of the ancient city of Ephesus, it has a long history but notably was rebuilt and enlarged under Alexander the Great. It was a decidedly Hellenistic city. We visited the remains of the Agora – the public area for socializing and shopping, and it was enlivening to the site to see fresh water still flowing through the stone channels built long ago.
Smyrna was one of the seven churches of Revelation that the risen Lord had a message for. Of the seven churches, five received condemnations from Him, while this little church did not. You can read the whole message in Revelation 2:8-11.
They were experiencing three things. Afflictions. Smyrna was a centre for Roman emperor worship – “just say – Caesar is Lord!” Christians refused to do that, so they were at odds with the government. Smyrna was also a pagan city, and Christians would not bow to and worship idols – they were out of step with the popular culture. Imagine the spill over from these stances in everyday life! Poverty. The result of the Christian position to worship only the Lord Jesus Christ, made it very hard to obtain a job and so the church was very poor. Opposition. As so often was the case, even the Jewish synagogue was against them, having rejected Jesus as the Messiah. When we face opposition for our Christian stance, know who the real adversary is. In this case it wasn’t as much the synagogue enemies as it was Satan who stood behind it all! The most notable martyrdom was Polycarp in 155 AD. He was a personal disciple of John the Apostle and served as the bishop of the Smyrna church. At 86 years old he refused the renounce his faith in Christ and was burned alive.
Jesus warned this church of the suffering they would endure. Suffering for Christ’s sake should not suprise any of us – it comes with the territory. Interestingly, the name ‘Smyrna’ comes from the root of the word ‘myrrh’ – an incense used in ancient embalming and one of the gifts brought by the magi to young Jesus. The Smyrna church didn’t have the accoutrements that we like about the modern western church. We like wealth – they were poor. We like freedom – they were afflicted. We like acceptance – they were opposed. Not much of a sales job for ‘come and join our church!’ But Jesus had no condemnation for this church. Instead he said – “I know what you are going through – I see it and I understand. Don’t be afraid, for the worst the world can threaten you with is death, while I give you the crown of life!”
Are you in times of difficulty right now? Maybe because of your Christian stance? In your time of suffering, know that the Master sees and understands your experience and he speaks a ‘do not be afraid’ into your life! Just take his hand and move ahead with him who was tested in all points like we yet was without sin!
Pastor Leon Throness
PS watch for two upcoming podcasts from our pilgrims who recently returned from visiting the seven churches of the Revelation. I will also be hosting a travelogue of our time on Sunday evening July 5 in the Coffee Connection at 7pm.
